Set on a carefully curated bird photography journey through Costa Rica’s most diverse ecosystems. This independent tour provides the perfect balance of sessions with a private birding guide and time on your own. With private transportation, comfortable accommodations, and admissions to reserves and gardens, guests just need to pack their lenses and relax.
From the lush rainforests of Arenal to the remote wetlands of Laguna Lagarto, the tropical lowlands of Sarapiquí, and the misty peaks of the Talamanca Highlands, each destination offers incredible opportunities to capture stunning shots of tropical birds. Specialized photography locations, including well-placed feeders and natural perches, enhance your chances of getting the perfect shot.
Whether you're after action-packed flight shots, intimate close-ups, or beautifully composed habitat scenes, this tour is designed to maximize your photographic potential while immersing you in Costa Rica’s breathtaking natural beauty.
What's Included in Your Grand Costa Rica Birding Photography Tour?
Independent Tour with Local Guides
Features and Inclusions
‘Meet & Greet’: Your private driver meets you at your arrival airport.
Airport pick up: Included
Guide Services: For scheduled sessions, local birding or naturalist guide
Birding Flexibility: Combination of scheduled sessions and “on your own”
Transportation: Air-conditioned van, private driver
Meals: Breakfast only, unless the lodge includes meals
Species Observation: At scheduled locations & lodge
Official Checklist: Not Included
Daily Species Recap: Not Included
In-country Assistance: Included, 24/7
Ideal for
Budget-conscious travelers
Those who prefer more downtime on their own
Guests traveling with non-birding companions who may want to mix in general activities.
Grand Costa Rica Birding Photography Tour Itinerary Details
Day 1: Welcome to Costa Rica
Arrive in San José and transfer to your hotel with your private driver. Begin your bird photography journey in the lush gardens. The well-maintained grounds offer excellent opportunities to capture vibrant tropical species in natural light.
Travel towards Arenal, making a stop at the San Luis Tanager Watch, a fantastic location for close-up shots of colorful birds against scenic backdrops. Arrive at your lodge in the afternoon, where you can explore the trails and observation decks for dynamic photography opportunities.
Join your local birding guide for a dedicated photography session in the diverse habitats surrounding the lodge. Framed by the towering Arenal Volcano, this area provides dramatic lighting and incredible compositions for capturing iconic rainforest species. You’ll explore the forest trails, gardens, and feeders looking for the top birds of the area.
En route to Boca Tapada, stop at the Bogarin Trails & Feeders, a hotspot for photographing birds in a controlled setting with natural perches. The trails also have great opportunities for sloths. Arrive at Laguna del Lagarto Lodge, known for its specialized photography setups. In the afternoon, enjoy a scheduled session at the main photography platform.
Spend the morning at the King Vulture photography blind, where you’ll have the chance to capture striking images of this rare and powerful species up close. The afternoon is yours to explore the lodge grounds and open platforms, which provide excellent opportunities for perched and flight shots.
Stop at the renowned Cinchona Feeders, a well-positioned photography location where hummingbirds and other species can be photographed at close range with natural backdrops. Arrive in Sarapiquí and enjoy an afternoon on your own exploring the gardens and ponds. This is a great location for colorful tree frogs and birds.
Join your local private birding guide for a full day of bird photography at Cope’s Gardens and Pierella Gardens. These locations offer carefully curated settings for capturing intimate portraits of tropical species. Cope’s is well known for the Sickle-bill Hummingbird and Owls and Pierella for toucans and tanagers.
Travel to Rancho Naturalista, one of Costa Rica’s premier bird photography lodges. Upon arrival, set up on the lodge terrace, where excellent natural light and well-maintained feeders create an ideal setting for photographing stunning birds in detail. Hummingbirds, tanagers, toucans and much more frequent the feeders and gardens. Rancho Naturalista is the top spot for the Snowcap Hummingbird.
Spend the morning on a guided photography session, exploring the lodge’s diverse photography setups and surrounding trails. This session pairs you with an expert local birding guide. They will help you find the top species of the area so you can capture your most wanted shots.
Head into the Talamanca Highlands, home to Costa Rica’s most famous cloud forest species. Spend the afternoon exploring the lodge grounds, where soft, diffused light provides stunning conditions for bird photography. This is Quetzal country. Keep your eyes peeled for this magnificent bird. You’ll also find hummingbirds and many highland endemics.
Rise early for a dedicated photography session focused on capturing one of Costa Rica’s most iconic birds, the Resplendent Quetzal. With a local guide, visit prime locations where these birds are known to feed, ensuring the best opportunities for breathtaking images. You have the afternoon free to explore the grounds and enjoy the highland birds.
After a final morning in the highlands, transfer back to San José for your departing flight, wrapping up an unforgettable bird photography experience in Costa Rica.
"Amazing, could not have been better!"
When we booked this we knew nothing about the company and we were a little nervous about what we would be getting. We put some preliminary questions, like “will meals be a fixed menu, or free choice a la carte”. We also worried about whether the guide would be personable, knowledgeable, and with good language ability, etc.
It turned out that not only were these worries unfounded, but we had lucked into a far more generous, efficient, knowledgeable, and exciting company than we could have possibly imagined.
Every last part of this tour was super, and we don’t say that lightly. To begin, of course, the locations were mind blowing, and the birding was great. But then there was the personality, knowledge, and language ability of our guide and of the driver – both great people, and we fell in love with them immediately. And they and the company behind them had really thought of everything. There was never the slightest glitch or problem. To boot, the accommodations were to us first rate, and the food wonderful, and basically unlimited. …
Now, as we are going through our photos, we are impressed over again with every single last bit of this experience. It’s a cliché to say we could not recommend Costa Rica Focus highly enough, but that is exactly the case.
A special parting word about our guide, Alex C. Costa Rica Focus has many guides, but of course we only know about Alex. If in life you can meet a kung fu master or a violin master, or someone who has mastered any field, then it is inspiring. Alex is one of these. He could look in a forest and identify birds we could not even see, often even when he indicated them with his laser pointer. In addition he had a great knowledge of Costa Rican history, geography, culture, and politics, that he shared with great clarity. If Alex is any indication, then the guide you get with Costa Rica Focus is going to be good.
"I would recommend this company to all"
This company designed a fabulous Costa Rica bird trip. There were a variety of habitats to maximize the types of birds we saw. The accommodations were first rate. The hired drivers and bird guides were dependable and first rate. We enjoyed the food everywhere we went. The company stayed in touch and were able to make minor adjustments if necessary. We were very pleased with the trip.
"An amazing birding experience in Costa Rica"
Costa Rica Focus went above & beyond in every way. From the very beginning when I had a few questions before I made my decision to book this trip to the end in traveling home. I felt very safe because we had the ability to be in constant contact with the team if we needed them.
The trip itself was just amazing! I added over 200 new life birds to my list! The scenery was spectacular! Our guide was so helpful, knowledgeable & personable. Each lodge was unique in it’s own way; from larger to quite small. The staff at each place were super. Food was plentiful & tasty. Different birds and experiences at each location. I don’t think a single thing could be improved upon. Thanks again for a most memorable experience!
"Amazing Experience"
My wife and I joined a small group, we were 5 in total. Everything was perfectly well organized. Our guide, Minor, was fantastic. He was always ready to help and accomodate us. He also has a fantastic knowledge of wildlife and where to find it. We went to the mountains, Tortuguero in the rain forest and to the slopes of the Arenal volcano. Exotic places, fantastic views and hundreds of species of birds. I would recommend Costa Rica focus without hesitation.
"Knowledgeable and great local connections"
Joan and company were excellent by being so responsive, attentive, cooperative with making adjustments and extremely helpful at navigating our way around the country of Costa Rica. They had great connections with the locals and we got to know the people as well as the wildlife and the countryside. Our nature guides were top notch as well as our drivers. Very knowledgeable and patient (traffic and roads can be crazy at times). We always felt remembered each day as they checked in with us and them with us. The app is fantastic for knowing what was up each day. Highly recommend!
"A Quest for the Agami Heron"
I went on the A Quest for the Agami Heron in June of 2023 and have meant to write a review since then. I am going with better late than never. My cousin talked me into going with her and insisted I take her camera. I could not get a picture for three days that I could even see but on the third day magic happened and my life changed. From the moment I walked out of the airport to the moment they dropped me back off everything was taken care of. Our guide, Minor, and our driver, Victor, took care of us and were an amazing team to get us to very unique hotels, wonderful restaurants and to birds I never knew existed. Resplendent Quetzels, Sunbitterns, and Agami Herons were some of my favorites. We saw baby turtles released into the sea and all cried together when they made it. We built friendships through our experiences that were real and lead to another one this summer and a reserved one for next year. I highly recommend Costa Rica Focus. 5+ out of 5 stars.
"A fantastic trip to Ecuador"
I’ve just returned from a fantastic 11 days’ birding in Ecuador organised by Costa Rica Focus and I couldn’t be happier. Having used them last year, I knew what to expect and they didn’t let me down. Their attention to detail is incredible and everything went exactly to plan from the moment I was greeted at Quito airport.
But what makes them special is their careful choice of guides. Both Daniel and Ivan were outstanding and helped me to see and photograph more than 300 birds, most of them lifers. Their incredible knowledge, professionalism and enthusiasm made all the difference. Toucans, hawks, cock of the rock, umbrella bird, oilbird and loads of hummingbirds – they got me up close and personal to them all.
I have no hesitation in recommending Costa Rica Focus and I look forward to my next adventure with this great company.
"“Off the beaten track” excellent trip that lived up to its name."
3rd trip with this company. Alex was an excellent guide/driver and the itinerary well organized and unique. Some locations family owned with breathtaking views, wonderful accommodation and home cooked meals. Saw 214 species of birds with 90 % “lifers”. Was a fusion of photography and forest birding. Have to admit that as a prairie person my body ached after hiking up and down slippery paths and staircases. CR is beautiful with waterfalls, lush vegetation and mountains!
We crossed the country from SanJose to the Pacific Ocean, over the highest peaks and to the southern tropical areas with stops at local restaurants and locations where we saw species rarely seen. The meals were healthy and typically CR. Given that this is nesting season without the migrant birds, Alex and the experienced birders in our small group found many unique species. It was a good learning experience for myself as I’m more of a photographer. Would highly recommend this tour and I will certainly continue to travel with Costa Rica focus.
